With PGs last weekend of freedom before married
life depleting the Waltham resources, a patch-work quilt
of a team was sent into the firing line against top
of the table, Pinkney’s Green.
Dan “Noodle” Owen, early to arrive, spent
half an hour explaining to each new arrival how “fire
in the belly” was required. Seeing the bellies on offer
from Waltham’s own “Noodle” Owen and “Huggy Bear” Raja,
coupled with the fact they have only recently rebuilt
their pavilion after fire broke out, caused a few anxious
looks from the opposition. But Waltham were under no
illusions about the task that faced them on a sweltering
Saturday afternoon.
Having elected to bat Rash “Rawlpindi Express”
cleaned up Cary’s off stump, and “Huggy Bear” Raja followed
suit the next over. This only served in bringing the
unknown Curlewis to the crease who signalled his intent
charging first ball. He went on to produce a chanceless
141 on what was a good batting pitch and a lightning
outfield. The unlucky Keith “Has this guy never heard
of compatriotism?” Lugthart’s figures taking much of
the punishment, despite his bowling deserving much more
respect and chalks in the wicket column. 3 drop catches
in an over from behind keeper and slips epitomising
this.
Some dangerous middle order
batsmen came and went, including the prolific Jags Dhillon,
but Curlewis held it all together. Raja came back on
and cleaned up the innings finishing with an impressive
5-59 off 10. Hats off to the ageing “Express” for getting
through 15 overs without respite, finishing with 3-70.
All in all Waltham can be very proud of bowling this
team out, albeit for 283.
Facing an improbable victory target and fresh
from a 50:50 catch success rate in the field, “Teflon”
Kiani strode to the middle with “Lovebite” Trudgill.
The late swing of Risnan and Dhillon was being handled
fairly well until “Teflon” went plane spotting and was
bowled leg stump. “Lovebite” soon followed with a sharp
delivery from Dhillon that jagged back and found the
edge, well taken at slip by Curlewis.
“Huggy” came out swinging but was run out
by a direct hit from point for 14 (4-6-4!) leaving Toy
and Sharpe to the wolves. Both batted with confidence
and “Cookie monster” Sharpe in particular playing
with much more confidence and style this year (batting
that is, not hair). One drive too many though and he
lost his off stump which left us wide open for the Risnan
onslaught. “Noodle” came and went 2 hockey shots later,
the first flying through the covers for 2, the next
flying through his gate! Chris Raymond got a peach first
up to remove his offstump, and, after denying Risnan
his hat-trick, Lugthart followed suit ball 5 of the
over.
The “Rawlpindi Express” gave the updater of the duck
gallery a busy afternoon as he, although he didn’t seem
in agreement after the look he gave “Lovebite” who was
now umpiring, was plumb first ball. Risnan finished
things off in his next over with another off cutter
that clattered into the stumps. The last 5 wickets had
fallen in 14 balls for 8 runs, all to Risnan.
Despite the result Walham can
be proud of never giving up despite being clearly outclassed.
Hopefully the Devon Debauchery hasn’t taken too much
out of some of the
star performers + “The Mouth” Nebbett, who will be welcomed
back this weekend. |
